Two Italian institutes have announced scholarships for international bachelor’s and master’s applicants, including five specifically from India

Two Italian art and design institutes have announced scholarships worth a total of $460,000 for international bachelor’s and master’s applicants, including five specifically from India.

Domus Academy, which offers only postgraduate degrees, is offering 33 scholarships valued at $400,000 for international candidates to pursue any of its masters’ courses starting in September 2012. The other school, Nuova Academia di Belle Arti (NABA), has launched five awards worth $60,000 for bright Indian students to join various BA courses in art and design commencing in October 2012.

The institutes are focusing on the emerging economies in general and India in particular, as reflected in their curricular re-orientation and student enrolment drive. Domus Academy is going to introduce two masters’ degrees in marketing of luxury goods and in visual brand design in September 2012.

Representatives of the two institutes pointed out that trends in the luxury goods and design industry are an opportunity for students in an emerging economy like India. The demand for designer items – and relevant jobs – is growing in developing countries such as India. The luxury market in the country was worth $4.76 billion in 2009, $5.8 billion in 2010 and is projected to be $14.7 billion in 2015, said David S Graves, CEO, Laureate Hospitality, Art & Design, Laureate International Universities network, of which the two institutions are members. “India is really a high growth market, especially in the luxury segment,” added Marc Ledermann, CEO, Domus and NABA.

Graves pointed out how designers are designing hotels and luxury goods makers are diversifying their offerings – Prada and Dolce & Gabbana designing cell phones for LG and Motorola, respectively.

“What this means is, there continues to be a demand for designers,” said Graves, who was on a visit to New Delhi. “Indians who get into this area will not be serving only India. Russia and China are growing, too. So, it’s very likely students will be working in any of those markets.”

Indian multi-national companies’ global forays mean a requirement for domestic talent with an international skill set, said Ledermann. “We see car companies like the Tatas have taken over Jaguar. They are looking for Indians with an international education. That’s where we see high opportunity for Indian students,” he said.

Those applying for the scholarships must meet the entry criteria of both institutes.

Applicants would be assessed on the basis of their portfolios and be interviewed through Skype. All the courses are taught in English at the institutes based in Milan, home to well-known fashion brands such as Armani, Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.

Scholarships from NorthamptonThe University of Northampton (UK) has launched a full one-year postgraduate scholarship for Indian students and is inviting applications for the same. The £10,000 scholarship is available for the September 2012 entry only. To request an application form, candidates need to reference ‘FULL Indian Scholarship’ by emailing at: india@northampton.ac.uk. More details on www.northampton.ac.uk